There are 32 heads of state and government now gathering in Washington to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of NATO, the military alliance that blocked the spread of communism and contributed significantly to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Therefore, it is an important moment in the history of the West, if not humanity.

However, the eyes of these leaders will be focused on Joe Biden. “How bad is his health?” they will wonder. Will he be able to withstand the speeches, the meetings, the dinner held in his honor, etc.?

Will Trump be the next president of the United States and what will that mean for their countries and NATO?

These are reasonable questions.

However, they downplay an immediate, crucial question that should concern us all: Given the state of his health, as we see it, who is governing America?

Someone else seems to be performing at least part of his duties in his name. His wife? His cabinet members? His advisors?

There is a precedent for this.

When President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) was ill, his wife Edith Wilson carried out his duties.

Another thing NATO member leaders will wonder about – if Biden insists on remaining a candidate – is how bad could a nearly certain second term of Trump be for NATO? Will he carry out his threats? Will he dissolve it? Will he allow Putin to shake down and ‘devour’ any member country that does not spend 2% of its GDP on national defense?

Such questions should never have come up, as humanity faces existential threats once again.

NATO should be dealing with other issues on its 75th anniversary, not with the health of America’s top politicians.